L.A. shuts down tourist sites amidst ongoing wildfires

California's Governor declared a state of emergency on Wednesday as the fires caused widespread damage.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the Palisades Fire, which started on Tuesday, has already consumed over 17,000 acres.

The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board expressed their concern, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the destruction caused by the Los Angeles wildfires. Our priority is ensuring the safety of residents, visitors, and first responders. We strongly advise everyone to stay updated through the Los Angeles Fire Department and adhere to all warnings and evacuation orders."

Historic structures and parks affected

The fires have impacted several historical sites within Will Rogers State Historic Park and Topanga State Park, including the historic Topanga Ranch Motel, formerly owned by William Randolph Hearst. Thankfully, state park employees successfully evacuated horses and valuable artifacts before the fire reached the park.

Although the Getty Villa and Getty Center were spared from significant damage, the fire did reach the Getty Villa's grounds, scorching some vegetation. Getty confirmed on Facebook that preemptive measures, such as brush removal and water storage, helped minimize damage, and the museum's collections remain safe.

Universal studios hollywood reopens

As the fire intensified on Thursday, the tourism board announced further closures, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Griffith Observatory, access to the Hollywood sign, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles and its tar pits.

According to Cal Fire, five fires were active in the area as of Thursday. A new fire, named the Sunset Fire, erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an evacuation order that temporarily extended to Hollywood Boulevard, encompassing landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theater, the Ovation Hollywood center, the Capitol Records building, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk resumed operations on Friday after a two-day closure due to the wildfires.

In a statement on its website, Universal confirmed that both the theme park and the dining-and-entertainment district will operate under their normal hours. Universal Studios Hollywood will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and CityWalk will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The theme park will also offer early admission starting at 9 a.m. Guests with an early access ticket, priced from $20, can enter Super Nintendo World an hour before the park officially opens.

"Our primary concern remains the safety of our team members and guests," Universal stated regarding its closure. "We are continuously monitoring the situation and encourage guests to check our website for updates."

The iconic Hollywood Sign announced its closure on Facebook, and the reopening date remains uncertain.

Hotels offer shelter and assistance

Dustin Teichman, president and owner of Good Times Travel, a tour operator based in Fountain Valley, California, reported that their single-day tours to Los Angeles have not been affected so far.

He mentioned that January and February are typically slower months for day tours, with the next scheduled tour on January 26th to Warner Bros. Studios. Their clientele mainly consists of local residents interested in museum visits or lunch-and-show outings in Los Angeles.

The company is closely monitoring fire-related developments and assessing potential impacts on tour destinations like the Getty Villa and the Mount Wilson Observatory. Unfortunately, the Will Rogers ranch house, a stop on their tours, has been damaged by the fire.

Good Times Travel, which also offers driving tours in Malibu and Santa Monica, is prepared to adjust itineraries if necessary. Alternative day trips to San Diego or Palm Springs may be offered as a contingency plan.

"Our challenges are insignificant compared to those faced by the residents affected by the fire," Teichman acknowledged.

Although Princess Cruises ships departing from the Los Angeles World Cruise Center in San Pedro remain unaffected, the cruise line is offering passengers impacted by the fires the option to cancel their upcoming sailings.

Guests with cruises scheduled to depart between January 11th and January 30th can cancel and receive a future cruise credit equivalent to their booking value. They will also receive full refunds for any additional purchases, such as shore excursions or Princess packages, according to a spokeswoman.

These future cruise credits can be used for any Princess cruise departing from Los Angeles in 2025.

Hotels along the Southern California coast have provided operational updates in response to the ongoing fires. While some hotels in Malibu have completely closed, others in Santa Monica remain open and are providing shelter to evacuees.

The Hotel Association of Los Angeles reported that hotels have accommodated "thousands" of displaced Angelenos.

"Many of our hotels are offering discounted rates and essential supplies to guests who had to evacuate, including toiletries," the association stated. "Many hotels are also accepting pets and are working to donate bedding and personal care items to temporary shelters."

The Malibu Beach Inn announced its temporary closure on its website due to mandatory evacuations prompted by the Palisades Fire. The oceanfront property is advising guests with reservation inquiries to contact them via email or phone.

The Surfrider Malibu has also suspended operations due to high winds and the ongoing fire threat. The hotel announced on Instagram that it will remain closed until evacuation orders are lifted and authorities confirm it is safe to reopen.

Further south in Santa Monica, the situation appeared less severe as of midday on January 8th. A spokesperson from the Fairmont Miramar confirmed that the hotel remained outside the mandatory evacuation zone but was under an evacuation advisory. The hotel is receiving real-time updates from the Santa Monica Fire Department and local authorities.

The Sandbourne Santa Monica, part of Marriott's Autograph Collection, announced special rates for affected residents and evacuees on Instagram. The hotel is offering a discounted rate to those who can present valid identification with a Palisades or Santa Monica address.

The Regent Santa Monica Beach also confirmed its continued operation and ability to provide shelter for those displaced by the fires.

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, the city's tourism organization, published a list of hotels offering discounts or waiving resort fees for evacuated residents.

"Although there are no evacuation orders in Santa Monica, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism is closely monitoring the Palisades Fire," the organization stated. "Residents and visitors are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the northern parts of the city to allow for evacuations and assist first responders."

TravelAge West, reported that other hotels and accommodations in the area were offering discounted or free stays to displaced residents.

Shutters on the Beach, one such hotel, confirmed that it has been providing shelter to those displaced by the fires but had reached capacity as of January 8th.